I was checking out some of the player profiles from the racquet review pages and noticed you have the C10 Pro listed as your current stick. Just wondering why you switched to this from the Prestige MP? Also since you previously used the PB 10 Mid I was wondering if you can give a short comparison between the C10 and the PB 10 Mid?

I have been doing a bunch of string testing recently and put some in a C10 Pro to see how it would play. I have always found that racquet just a tad too lively for my taste, but with some of the firmer polys we have been testing, it plays great. I've also bumped up my tension from 52lbs to 55 and up depending on the string. So far I've been playing really well with the C10 Pro, I've dialed in the stringbed with more control and the racquet feels more solid and stable than the Prestige MP.

Compared to the PB 10 Mid, the C10 Pro feels like it swings with more mass and has a livelier feel. Both are silky smooth in their response, but the ball jumps off the C10 Pro faster for me. The PB 10 Mid is a faster racquet that's easier to snap through contact but the C10 Pro offers more plow through and stability.

I have been doing a bunch of string testing recently and put some in a C10 Pro to see how it would play. I have always found that racquet just a tad too lively for my taste, but with some of the firmer polys we have been testing, it plays great. I've also bumped up my tension from 52lbs to 55 and up depending on the string. So far I've been playing really well with the C10 Pro, I've dialed in the stringbed with more control and the racquet feels more solid and stable than the Prestige MP.

Compared to the PB 10 Mid, the C10 Pro feels like it swings with more mass and has a livelier feel. Both are silky smooth in their response, but the ball jumps off the C10 Pro faster for me. The PB 10 Mid is a faster racquet that's easier to snap through contact but the C10 Pro offers more plow through and stability.

Hope that helps.
Chris, TW

Click to expand...

Not to intrude, but did you get a chance to play with the McEnroe pro-stock stick? Any distinguishing features?

Luxilon 4G has been my favorite so far. I can string that up tightly and still find plenty of comfort and all the pop I want while control and spin is great. I also like Solinco Tour Bite 16 as the firm/low powered feel is ideal for the power I find hitting with the C10 Pro.

With livelier polys, I string them up tighter. I went from 52lbs with the Prestige MP to a 55-57lbs average with the C10 Pro.

I have not hit any from the batch we just sold, but have hit earlier pro stock from Volkl. All I have hit, and the recent ones we measured for customers, come in very light with all the weight/balance to be set by the customizer. If you know what you like, they make a great way of taking a racquet like the C10 Pro and tailoring it to your exact spec preferences.

I was getting the same control, but was able to get more spin through faster swing speeds. I'm also very happy with my results with the Prestige MP when playing matches.

That being said, I've been using the Volkl C10 Pro an awful lot recently for string testing as I find it a gerat racquet to test string in and I'm really liking it with some of the deader polys we've been testing (I had found it too lively when I had hit it in the past).

Chris, I noticed on the specs pages that there is a difference in composition between the 2010 and 2012 models of the C10 Pro. E.g. tungsten in 2010 model vs Kevlar in 2012 model. I seem to remember kevlar being in the original C10 Pro.

Is it the 2012 model you are referring to in your recent review, and is that what you are using? Does it stick true to the original C10 Pro? Was there any noticeable difference between the 2010 model and the 2012 model? I notice that the Power Levels were rated as different - 2010 being "low" whereas 2012 is "low-medium".

Sorry All - I just noticed that the specs are the same on the Racket Description pages. It is on the "Compare" page, with the 2 rackets side-by-side, that the 2 racket specs diverge, but I presume that is a typo. I assume now that the 2010 specs are the same as the 2012 ones.

Sorry All - I just noticed that the specs are the same on the Racket Description pages. It is on the "Compare" page, with the 2 rackets side-by-side, that the 2 racket specs diverge, but I presume that is a typo. I assume now that the 2010 specs are the same as the 2012 ones.

Click to expand...

You are right, I have hit both the 2008 and 2010 models and those play identical. Of course there are some manufacturing variations, but the materials and specs should be the same through the 2012 model also.

Chris, I have a question for you? What would be the most dead non-poly synthetic to try in the C10 pro? My arm just does not accept poly strings of any kind. I am spraying balls long when facing certain style defensive players using a full multi @ 60lbs. I know a lot of it is probably technique, but a dead string setup would provide some more confidence to swing out.

Ashaway Dynamite is low powered and very comfortable. GO with the 16 gauge to lower power still.

We get Titan natural gut in 15g at times and that is a good option as the thicker gauge takes some of the power away. Hybridizing with a low powered, basic syn gut cross can also help deaden the stringbed. Again, thicker gauges are going to be your friend.

Ashaway Dynamite is low powered and very comfortable. GO with the 16 gauge to lower power still.

We get Titan natural gut in 15g at times and that is a good option as the thicker gauge takes some of the power away. Hybridizing with a low powered, basic syn gut cross can also help deaden the stringbed. Again, thicker gauges are going to be your friend.

Ashaway Dynamite is low powered and very comfortable. GO with the 16 gauge to lower power still.

We get Titan natural gut in 15g at times and that is a good option as the thicker gauge takes some of the power away. Hybridizing with a low powered, basic syn gut cross can also help deaden the stringbed. Again, thicker gauges are going to be your friend.

I have been doing a bunch of string testing recently and put some in a C10 Pro to see how it would play. I have always found that racquet just a tad too lively for my taste, but with some of the firmer polys we have been testing, it plays great. I've also bumped up my tension from 52lbs to 55 and up depending on the string. So far I've been playing really well with the C10 Pro, I've dialed in the stringbed with more control and the racquet feels more solid and stable than the Prestige MP.

Compared to the PB 10 Mid, the C10 Pro feels like it swings with more mass and has a livelier feel. Both are silky smooth in their response, but the ball jumps off the C10 Pro faster for me. The PB 10 Mid is a faster racquet that's easier to snap through contact but the C10 Pro offers more plow through and stability.

Hope that helps.
Chris, TW

Click to expand...

I´m looking to replace my Prince precision response ti (love the frames but they are dead and dull now), do you think the C10 could be a contender?

Some people in the board state that the C10 is too flexible. My only reference point using Volkl is the Organix 8 which is a tweener and thicker beamed racket. So, what would you say of the C10 being too flexible? Also, I should add that cosmetically it is a very good looking racket.

B.B.
DOn't give up on Prince just yet. They might have something in the future that will appeal to you as right now they are restructuring and coming up with new models.

That being said, the C10 Pro is a great racquet and well worth a demo. It has good power, tons of feel and control and plays silky smooth. The grip shape is very different to Prince, so that will likely be an adjustment.

Boricua,
It does offer a flexible response, but unlike other flexy racquets, the C10 Pro also offers good power. The combination of a comfortable and smooth flexible feel and the power are what I think make it a special racquet.

B.B.
DOn't give up on Prince just yet. They might have something in the future that will appeal to you as right now they are restructuring and coming up with new models.

That being said, the C10 Pro is a great racquet and well worth a demo. It has good power, tons of feel and control and plays silky smooth. The grip shape is very different to Prince, so that will likely be an adjustment.

Boricua,
It does offer a flexible response, but unlike other flexy racquets, the C10 Pro also offers good power. The combination of a comfortable and smooth flexible feel and the power are what I think make it a special racquet.

Chris, TW

Click to expand...

Sounds good, nice with a real frame from Prince again, thanks Chris
Well, the Rebel 95 was nice but I don´t like 18*20.

Both the c10 pro and the Power Bridge 10 Mid is on sale here in Europe.
Can you please compere the two and tell me why you choose to go with the bridge?

I´m a bit worried about a 93sq/in head...?

I have good skills in all my shots and play a very versitale game where I mix it up a lot.

B.B.
I actually used the PB 10 Mid before the C10 Pro. I'm using the C10 Pro right now. At first I was getting too much power, but I dialed it in with higher tensions.

To sum it up, the PB10 Mid is very fast and has excellent feel. The control and precision of that racquet are off the charts. The C10 Pro is more solid and lively. I find I get better plough through with it. The feel is silky smooth, but not much compares to a mid like the PB10 Mid for touch.

andres,
That is a tough question since I like both. I might go with the Organix simply because it offers better power and is a little closer to the C10 Pro in that regard. The PB 10 Mid still wins on the touch and feel front, but I think I can hit a bigger ball with the Organix version.

That is a tough question since I like both. I might go with the Organix simply because it offers better power and is a little closer to the C10 Pro in that regard. The PB 10 Mid still wins on the touch and feel front, but I think I can hit a bigger ball with the Organix version.

Chris,
I am playing with the X10 mid and enjoying it but thinking I might need a little more forgiveness with a larger frame. I have had elbow issues so only string with gut. I hit more flat but some spin.
Would gut at lower tensions or at least mid-tension be hard to tame with the c10.
Thanks in advance.

I would go with the thickest gauge you can get, like Babolat Tonic 15L or Klip Legend 15L (due in stock 3/12). The thicker gauge will offer control, but you'll still get the comfort and forgiveness of gut. It should also play as durable as it can get for gut, which is a nice bonus.

I think you should have no issues starting around mid and then working your way down so your game adapts gradually to the increase in power.

@corners,
The RDTi 80 is very, very close for me in terms of power to the C10 Pro. The feel is not that far off, either. The Organix 10 Mid bridges the gap between the PB10 Mid and C10 Pro in terms of power for me.

It has been too long since I hit the lighter version of the RDTi 80, but I can tell you the 97 310 is a fantastic racquet. We just wrapped up our playtest and I really enjoyed hitting that racquet -- very fast feeling, excellent spin and pace and the stability was decent. I found it to have WAY more feel than the VCORE 100 we recently tested.

@corners,
The RDTi 80 is very, very close for me in terms of power to the C10 Pro. The feel is not that far off, either. The Organix 10 Mid bridges the gap between the PB10 Mid and C10 Pro in terms of power for me.

It has been too long since I hit the lighter version of the RDTi 80, but I can tell you the 97 310 is a fantastic racquet. We just wrapped up our playtest and I really enjoyed hitting that racquet -- very fast feeling, excellent spin and pace and the stability was decent. I found it to have WAY more feel than the VCORE 100 we recently tested.

Chris, TW

Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch Chris! The 97 310 sounds really nice. Final question, promise: The 97 310, being pretty light with a rather high stiffness, would you consider it an arm-friendly racquet?

We tested it with co-poly strings and had zero comfort issues. It felt comfortable to me and I didn't find any undue jarring or shock when shanking. All of the testers here were grooving on it and it has been a very popular racquet (tough to find one at times as our hitters were constantly checked out by other playtesters!)

It has been too long since I hit the lighter version of the RDTi 80, but I can tell you the 97 310 is a fantastic racquet. We just wrapped up our playtest and I really enjoyed hitting that racquet -- very fast feeling, excellent spin and pace and the stability was decent. I found it to have WAY more feel than the VCORE 100 we recently tested.

Chris, TW

Click to expand...

It may have been too long but since you are already on a similar subject can you say how the power level between Tour 97 310g compares to the RDS 002 Tour (UL) 310g and if the headsizes are the same?

We tested it with co-poly strings and had zero comfort issues. It felt comfortable to me and I didn't find any undue jarring or shock when shanking. All of the testers here were grooving on it and it has been a very popular racquet (tough to find one at times as our hitters were constantly checked out by other playtesters!)

We tested it with co-poly strings and had zero comfort issues. It felt comfortable to me and I didn't find any undue jarring or shock when shanking. All of the testers here were grooving on it and it has been a very popular racquet (tough to find one at times as our hitters were constantly checked out by other playtesters!)

I´m looking to replace my Prince precision response ti (love the frames but they are dead and dull now), do you think the C10 could be a contender?

Click to expand...

BB: Thisis a remarkable post. Ten or so years ago, when I was moving out of my old Dunlop max 200gs, I took a bunch of racquets out for a test. . . and ended up liking both the Prince Precision Response Ti and the C10. I ended up with a modified c9. . . but that really was about the only Prince racquet I've ever liked much. Interesting to see you, too, might see the C10 and Prince comparable.

Hi Chris,
how do the organix 10 mid play as compared to the head ig prestige mid? I know they are not quite the same specs.

The organix 10 mid specs looks really good and I am hoping it will be more forgiving than the prestige ig mid but with nice solid feel..

thank you

Click to expand...

Yes, the Volkl Organix 10 Mid is definitely much easier to use than the Head IG Prestige Mid. It is much easier to maneuver, has a lively and forgiving stringbed, and easier access to pace. The tradeoffs are that the Prestige is more solid and has better plow through.

Yes, the Volkl Organix 10 Mid is definitely much easier to use than the Head IG Prestige Mid. It is much easier to maneuver, has a lively and forgiving stringbed, and easier access to pace. The tradeoffs are that the Prestige is more solid and has better plow through.

Hey Chris,
I hate to trouble you, but I have been using the C10 Pro and really enjoy it with fresh 16G 4G at 61 lbs. However, I noticed I tend to hit the baller a little flatter and when I try to hit heavy spin it doesn't have grip on the ball that I can muster with some other frames. I have read of some posters knocking the C10 Pro for a lack of spin....anywho I was looking to keep the power reigned in a bit, but increase the amount of spin I am able to put on the ball...do you have any hints or tips for string and tension based on your experience.

Try Spiky Shark or ALU Rough. Both a crisp and I find them very spin-friendly. The crispness helps me with control and I get all of the spin I need with them.

I've never had an issue getting spin out of the C10 Pro. It does play lively and depth is very easy to generate. When transitioning into the C10 Pro I had to bump up my reference tension 5lbs to maintain confidence in control.

Having used the racquet now for an extended period, I'm dropping back down to 52lbs with strings like Spiky Black Shark.

Hey Chris, would you recommend the c10 pro for someone who hated the pb10 mid. I found that while the pb10 produced a quick ball it put very little weight into it and also the plow through was really unimpressive compared to sticks of the same weight/SW.

Racquets I like include the dunlop 200 series, the prestige MP, tour 90 and am currently using the old prestige tour but only have one and would prefer to have a few of the same stick for matches.

Oh also my game is all court offensive with a preference for shorter points, no problems generating power, mostly slice on the BH.

-Bobo-,
Yes, you should definitely hit the C10 Pro. It has more plow through and power compared to the PB 10 Mid. It is not quite as fast feeling as a result, but the more powerful response has me stringing it 5 lbs or so tighter to add control.

Just to slightly reframe what Bobo said - would you recommend the C10 for someone who loved the feel of the t10 MP Gen II but found the response 'quick' with very little weight behind it (even with weight added it still feels underwhelming)? I remember Danny used to play the Gen II so I thought you might have some experience with it as well.

I actually have an old pro stock Gen II weighted up closely to the C10 Pro kicking around, so yes I have some experience with it, although a different version from retail (the pro racquets are built very light and all weight is customized onto the frame).

I think you will find the C10 Pro to feel more solid with better plow through. I get a lot of power from the C10 Pro because of the mass it brings through the ball. Maneuverability is just fine, but it is not as fast feeling as the Gen II or the PB 10 Mids I have hit.

I actually have an old pro stock Gen II weighted up closely to the C10 Pro kicking around, so yes I have some experience with it, although a different version from retail (the pro racquets are built very light and all weight is customized onto the frame).

I think you will find the C10 Pro to feel more solid with better plow through. I get a lot of power from the C10 Pro because of the mass it brings through the ball. Maneuverability is just fine, but it is not as fast feeling as the Gen II or the PB 10 Mids I have hit.

I would go gut mains at 57lbs. The softer gut will provide superior comfort and the higher tension will help with control. I would not bother dropping the cross tension since the poly cross is going to lose tension faster anyway. By starting at the same tension, you should find the poly to feel better for the life of the gut, whereas I find it to drop too far if I start with the poly at a lower tension.

For the best in comfort you can go full gut in this racquet. I like to go to around 62lbs to help with control. Gut will still stretch perfectly at higher tensions so you wont have to worry about too much racquet shock on shanks etc. Only gut behaves like that. Even the softest multis will provide more shock at contact near the frame, gut will continue to stretch and offer better comfort.

A thicker gauge will offer you more control as it will deaden the stringbed.

I like Kirschbaum Spiky Black Shark and Super Smash in the C10 Pro. I can actually drop the tension a couple of pounds compared to Cyclone without losing any control as I find them to both be very controlled strings.

If you want something really dead, ISOSPEED Baseline Long Life 15L is tough to beat. Only in reels, but at $39.99, the price is right.

Luxilon 4G 15 is also very control oriented. I have hit the 16g version in the C10 Pro and liked it a lot.

All of those strings offer a crisp response which I find compliments the plush and lively response of the C10 Pro very well.

I would be in the 55-57lbs range with any of those strings. The are not all of the latest offering, but all hopefully will add some of the control you are seeking.